ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
2 Kolkata Metromen among Six Win Asia & Middle East Bridge Championship Prizes
Kolkata, December 21, 2021
Two Kolkata Metro employees and four others won the Asia & Middle East Bridge Championship recently, defeating the United Arab Emirates. The Championship was held at Noida. With this, the Indian Team qualified for the World Bridge Championship to be held in Italy in March 2022. The two Metromen are Shri Sumit Mukherjee and Shri Debabrata Majumder.
Shri Mukherjee is presently the captain of Indian Railways Bridge team. He won the bronze medal in the Zakarta Asian Games in 2018. This apart, both Sumit and Debabrata have won several national and international titles.
The General Manager, Metro Railway has congratulated both the sportstars and wished them for the forthcoming World Bridge Championship. He also hoped that both these young men will continue bringing laurels for the country as well as for the Indian Railways.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Hoarding of Onions
CCI does not decide on the prices of onion. However, CCI had conducted an inquiry relating to unusual rise in price of onions in December 2010 – January 2011. Accordingly, the Commission has passed final order u/s 26 vide order dated 10.04.2012 in a Suo-Moto Case No. 01/2011. The case was closed by the Commission due to absence of any evidence of collusion or cartelization among the traders/Commission agents or any other players in the supply chain.
Prices of onions are inter-alia affected by mismatch in demand and supply, shortfall in production owing to adverse weather conditions and seasonality, increased transportation costs, supply chain constraints like lack of storage facilities, artificial shortage created by hoarding and black marketing, etc.
Government, on 29.09.2019, imposed stock limits on onion traders across the country – 100 quintals on retail traders and 500 quintals on wholesale traders under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Further, Government of India has urged State Governments to hold regular meetings with the traders of Onions at State and District level to prevent hoarding, speculative trading and profiteering, unfair and illegal trade practices like cartelling, etc.
This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri. Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
52 MDMA tablets, Meth Crystal and Ganja worth Rs. 3.12 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs in Postal parcel at Foreign Post Office, Chennai
Chennai Air Customs has seized three postal parcels, one parcel containing 52 MDMA tablets and other two parcels containing 5 grams of Meth Crystal and 128 grams of Ganja respectively, at Foreign Post Office, Chennai.
2. The first two parcels arrived from Netherland and were addressed two different residents of Madurai. On opening the first parcel, 52 green colour tablets suspected to be MDMA having a total weight of 28 grams valued at Rs. 2.6 lakhs were found inside. While in second case, 5 grams of Meth Crystal valued at Rs. 50 thousand was found concealed inside the postal parcel during the examination.
4. In another case, the parcel arrived from USA. The parcel was addressed to a Chennai based person and was declared as “Women’s Essential Gift”. On examination, 128 grams of Ganja was found concealed inside the parcel.
5. Totally, 52 green colour tablets suspected to be MDMA , along with 5 grams of Meth Crystal and 128 grams of Ganja, totally valued at Rs. 3.12 lakhs were seized from 3 postal parcels under provisions of NDPS Act, 1985, read with the Customs Act, 1962.
Further investigation is in progress according to the press release by Pr. Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Airport Commissionerate.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Khadi and Village Industries Commission Signs MoU with ITBP
Paramilitary Forces to Use Khadi Durries
The big Swadeshi drive in paramilitary forces envisaged by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has gained fresh momentum with a new agreement for supply of Khadi cotton durries to the forces. In another first, Khadi and Village Industries Commission  today signed a MoU with ITBP for supply of 1.72 lakh cotton durries every year. The agreement was signed by Deputy CEO KVIC and DIG, ITBP, in presence of KVIC Chairman Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena and Additional Secretary  Shri Vivek Bhardwaj and other officials of CAPFs.
The agreement has been signed for one year which will be renewed thereafter. The total value of 1.72 lakh durries is Rs 8.74 crore.
The development comes in wake of the instructions of Union Home Minister to the paramilitary forces to encourage local products in a bid to support the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” initiated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Union Minister for MSME, Shri Nitin Gadkari welcomed the move.
As per the specifications, KVIC will provide blue-colour durries of 1.98 m length and 1.07 m width. The cotton durries will be produced by Khadi artisans in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. The next products in the pipeline are Khadi blankets, bed sheets, pillow covers, pickles, honey, papad and cosmetics, etc.
KVIC Chairman termed the development as ‘historic’ saying this would not only encourage the use of Swadeshi products in our forces but also create large scale additional employment for Khadi artisans. “Providing best quality products to our jawans and timely delivery of consignment will be the top priority of KVIC. The purchase orders from the CAPFs is also a matter of pride for Khadi artisans who are serving country’s jawans in their own ways,” Saxena said.
KVIC developed the cotton durries as per the samples provided by ITBP and the same has been approved by agency. The cotton durries prepared by KVIC have also been certified by Northern India Textile Research Association , a unit of the Textile Ministry recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Earlier, on July 31 last year, KVIC had signed an agreement with ITBP for supplying Kacchi Ghani mustard oil which has been successfully supplied. The ITBP is the nodal agency appointed by MHA for the procurement of provisions on behalf of all paramilitary forces.
The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today paid rich tributes to former Union Minister S. Jaipal Reddy and said he would always be remembered for his oratory, simplicity, down-to-earth attitude and unwavering commitment to principles.
Releasing online a Telugu book, ‘Padi Bhavajalalu”, a translation of the English book “Ten Ideologies- The great asymmetry between agrarianism and industrialism”, written by Shri Jaipal Reddy, the Vice President described the late leader as a rare politician, who was popular across the political spectrum.
He stayed in public life for decades without ever compromising his ideological outlook and personality, VP said.
Recalling his long association with Shri Jaipal Reddy, the Vice President said that right from the time when they used to share the same bench in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly to both of them becoming spokespersons of national parties, they had shared a special bonding.
Although they belonged to different parties and ideologies, their friendship never faced any hurdle, he said.
Highlighting the strong pro-people philosophical perspective in Shri Reddy’s speeches, the Vice President called him an analyst who deeply studied literature, philosophy, and the economic theories of different countries and saw politics in the light of that study.
Speaking about Shri Reddy’s sincerity and seriousness towards legislative work, Shri Naidu said that he used to deeply study the issue and come out with logical observations before speaking in the assembly or parliament on it.
“That is why he was recognized as one of the best parliamentarians of our times”, he added.
Talking about the book that deals with different aspects from democracy to capitalism to environmentalism and globalization, Shri Naidu expressed happiness that Shri Reddy gave prominence to nationalism.
He buttressed Shri Jaipal Reddy’s view expressed in the book that the distinctive geography of the country has influenced poets and philosophers to emphasize the cultural unity of India since time immemorial. Since Vedic time to the present, India has always been perceived to be a single cultural entity, the Vice President said.
Reminiscing his personal bond with his dear friends, Shri Naidu said, “When Jaipal wrote this book in English he met me personally and presented it to me. But it saddens me that he is not here today with us when we release it in our mother tongue, Telugu”.
Former Supreme Court judge Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy, former RBI Governor, Shri YV Reddy, CPI General Secretary, Shri Sitaram Yechuri, wife of late Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Smt. Laxmi and the Telugu translator of the book, Shri K. Bhaskaram were among the dignitaries who virtually attended the book release function.
Ministry of Finance
Secretary, Department of Financial Services , holds review meeting under Financial Inclusion Schemes with heads of PSBs and other organisations
Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services , Ministry of Finance, chaired a review meeting today with heads of Public Sector Banks . The review meeting was also attended by Chairman NABARD.
During the meeting, the progress under various social security  schemes including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana , Atal Pension Yojana , Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana , and Stand Up India. Dr. Joshi urged the PSBs to achieve the targets allocated to them under the various schemes for financial inclusion for the current financial year at the earliest.
During the meeting, Dr. Joshi also discussed with banks with special focus on the progress under the ongoing Jan Suraksha campaign of PMJJBY & PMSBY schemes in all the Gram Panchayats of the country being held from 01.04.2023 to 31.07.2023. Further, Dr. Joshi impressed upon heads of the banks to regularly review the progress & ensure achievement of targets of saturation campaign.
The issues related to digital transactions were discussed in the meeting with special focus on promotion of digital payments. Aspirational Blocks Programme  was also discussed.
The status of the decisions of consultative committee meeting with regard to holding of special District Level Review Committee  to prepare roadmap to cover the unbanked adults and credit outreach campaign in credit deficient districts were also reviewed in the meeting.
Ministry of Defence
INS Airavat with Critical Medical Stores Including Cryogenic Oxygen Tanks and Oxygen Cylinders from Singapore arrives in Visakhapatnam
As part of the ongoing Op 'Samudra Setu' II to support the nation’s fight against Covid-19, INS Airavat arrived in Visakhapatnam on 10 May 21 with 08 Cryogenic Oxygen Tanks and other critical COVID Medical Stores including 3898 Oxygen Cylinders from Singapore. The ship departed Singapore on 05 May with Oxygen tanks and cylinders were sourced through various agencies in coordination with the High Commission of India.
INS Airavat is part of nine ships that have been deployed for COVID relief Operation 'Samudra Setu' II for shipment of Liquid Medical Oxygen and associated medical equipment from friendly foreign countries in the Persian Gulf and southeast Asia.
ABBB/CGR/VM/MS
(Visitor Counter : 430
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
One-day awareness programme for farmers in Hapur organized under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
Over 30 farmers from Hapur participated in the programme
Farmers were sensitised about parameters of grain quality, bio-fortified crops along with ongoing projects of the Centre and importance of fortified rice
During the observance of Iconic Week of AzadiKaAmritMahotsavbeing organised by the Department of Food and Public Distribution,a one-dayawareness programme was organized for the ‘progressive’ farmers of Hapur district on Wednesday, November 17 by the Indian Grain Management and Research Institute , Hapur under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, D/o Food and Public Distribution, Government of India.
The theme of the programme was share the role of the department in food security management in last 75 years in the country, various refractions of foodgrains and importance of fortified rice. The programme was conducted at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hapur and was attended by 30 farmers.
Dr Rajendra Kumar, Principal, Amar Singh PG College Lakahaoti, Bulandshahr presided over the programme and called upon for increasing the participation of the farmers to increase the grain production, both in quantity and quality so as to strengthen the food security system of the country. Further, the importance of proper nutrition to consumers especially infants, pregnant and lactating mothers was also emphasised.
Developments in the field of food security management in the last 75 years since independence and the role of the department were presented to the audience. The various parameters of the grain quality and bio-fortified crops along with ongoing projects of Government of India and importance of the fortified ricewere shared with the participants followed by an exhibition to identify fortified rice and different storage structures focusing on the methods of safe storage of grains.
Shri Vishwajeet Haldar, Deputy Commissioner , D/o Food and Public Distribution, Dr Gautam Kumar, Deputy General Manager , Headquarters, Food Corporation of India, New Delhi, Dr. Preeti Shukla, Assistant Director,  , Quality Control Cell, New Delhi, Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Scientist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hapur, Dr R. K. Shahi, Director In-charge of Institute, Agricultural Scientists and Subject Matter Specialist also attended the programme.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Piyush Goyal hoists National Flag on the occasion of Har Ghar Tiranga Mahotsav
Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, an opportune moment to take the message of Swadeshi and self-reliant India forward : Shri Goyal
Calls upon people to use goods made in India
Administers Har Ghar Tiranga Pledge; felicitates family members of freedom fighters
Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textile Shri Piyush Goyal today said as we celebrate Har Ghar Tiranga, a campaign to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mohtsav, let us take a pledge to take the message of Swadeshi and self reliant India forward and give priority to goods made in India.
Shri Goyal hoisted the National Flag at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, on the occasion of Har Ghar Tiranga Mahotsav, a campaign to mark Azadi ka Amrit Mohtsav, being celebrated from 13-15 August 2022. He visited Rashtriya Swachhta Kendra and watched a digital exhibition chronicling India’s journey to an open defecation free country, a status achieved by India on 2 October 2019.
During the event, the Minister also administered the Har Ghar Tiranga Pledge to the gathering. He felicitated family members of freedom fighters by presenting a shawl to them.
Minister Goyal said, today it is a moment of immense pride for us that the whole country is giving the message to the world, of entering the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal by uniting and hoisting the Tricolour at home.
Paying Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Goyal said the way Gandhiji was instrumental in involving everyone in the Satyagraha in India’s fight for freedom, similarly Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign in 2014 to realise Bapu's dream of Swachh Bharat, a glimpse of it was seen in the Swachhata Museum today, he added.
Shri Goyal said as we are celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, let us take a resolve to take India forward at a faster pace and make this country a developed and prosperous country in the next 25 years, AmritKaal.
He expressed confidence that nothing can stop India from becoming a growth engine of the world economy.
Later in the day, Shri Goyal also visited the Exhibition on Horrors of Partition, set up in Vanijya Bhawan.
Ministry of Finance
NABARD - SANITATION LITERACY CAMPAIGN
Kolkata, October 2, 2020
Good hygiene and sanitation is one of the basic needs of the individual and the community as a whole. The corona virus pandemic has made it very important to maintain hygiene and cleanliness, for good health and safety of precious lives. In this respect, NABARD has sanctioned and disbursed Rs 15,000 crores and Rs 12,298 crores for the construction of 3.29 crore toilets in rural areas. With help of such work, the nation has been declared to be in ODF+ phase . It is imperative to ensure proper awareness of good hygiene practices, and to sustain the sanitation objectives properly. In this respect, NABARD has embarked upon a Pan-India Sanitation Literacy Campaign to promote literacy on WASH products  by leveraging NABARD’S rural India reach through their partner agencies in their project areas.
The Sanitation Literacy Campaign in West Bengal has been launched on 2nd October by Shri H. K. Dwiwedi, IAS, ACS, Home and Hill Affairs, Govt. of West Bengal, in the presence of Shri Subrata Mandal, Chief General Manager, NABARD, West Bengal. Shri Mandal spoke about the various initiatives of NABARD and laid down the key objectives of the campaign. This included, spreading sanitary literacy in rural areas, promoting safety measures in public heath, collaboration with other agencies, data collection and creating a database, increasing credit flow etc. Shri Dwivedi emphasised on the importance of changing the behavioural attitude of rural people towards the use of proper toilets and other hygiene measures.
This campaign was also joined by Senior Officers of RBI, Cooperative banks and others who engaged with the programme virtually. A short film and a jingle related to the sanitation literacy awareness, was presented to the audience.
The inauguration will be followed by 2000 Village Level Sanitation Awareness Programmes Pan-India. In West Bengal, there will be 100 such Village level sanitation programmes, each one attended by more than 50 participants. To support WASH programmes, NABARD will provide Special Refinance Facility of Rs. 800 Crore for FY 2020-21, WASH activities will be eligible for 95% refinance. Bank credit will also be extended to NBFCs-MFIs and other MFIs.
CG
(Visitor Counter : 14
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Ministry of FAHD notifies ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries , 2017’ with aim to keep sustainability of the resources at the core of all actions
NPMF aims to meet the national, social and economic goals, livelihood sustainability and socio-economic upliftment of the fisher community and is intended to guide the coordination and management of marine fisheries in the country
Sagar Parikrama achieves its aims and objectives
, 2017’ with aim to keep sustainability of the resources at the core of all actions. The policy framework aims to meet the national, social and economic goals, livelihood sustainability and socio-economic upliftment of the fisher community and is intended to guide the coordination and management of marine fisheries in the country. The NPMF, 2017 guides the actions of various stakeholders in meeting the vision and mission set for the marine fisheries sector of the country. The welfare and upliftment of fishers are at the core of the Policy. The schemes and programs are accordingly being implemented by the Government.
The aims and objectives of Sagar Parikrama have been achieved which inter alia include to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government, demonstrating solidarity with fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promoting responsible fisheries with focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and protection of marine ecosystems.
This information was given by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM expresses grief over loss of lives in fire at Chhindwara in MP
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief and shock over the loss of lives in a fire breakout at Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh.
“My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones in the fire at Chhindwara. The incident is shocking beyond words.
I pray that those who are injured due to the fire in Chhindwara recover quickly. State Government is closely monitoring the situation”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Simplification of procedure for import of oxygen cylinders and cryogenic tankers/ containers
The Government of India has reviewed the existing procedure of registration and approval of global manufacturers for importing oxygen cylinders and cryogenic tankers/ containers by Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization . In view of the COVID pandemic, PESO shall not carry out physical inspection of global manufacturers' production facilities before grant of such registration and approval. Now, such approvals shall be granted online without any delay on submission of manufacturer’s particulars; ISO certificate of manufacturer; List of Cylinders/ Tankers/Containers, their specifications, drawings & batch number; Hydro test certificate and Third party inspection Certificate. In case of any clarification, Mr. S.D. Mishra, Controller of Explosives, PESO  and Dr. S.K.Singh, Controller of Explosives, PESO  may be contacted.
Ministry of Coal
Successful Auction of Kuraloi  North Coal Mine in Second Attempt of 1st Tranche of Auction under Mines and Minerals Act, 1957
The Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, had launched the auction process of 38 coal minesin the first tranche of auction for Sale of Coal.
In the first attempt of auction under 11thTranche of Auction under the CM Act2015 and under 1st Tranche of Auction under the MMDR Act1957, out of the 38 coal mines, 19 have been successfully auctioned.
Out of the remaining mines, 4 coal mines which had fetched single bid in the first attempt were put up for re-auction in a second attempt by Ministry of Coal with the same terms and conditions but with the highest Initial Offer received in the first annulled attempt of auction as the Floor Price for the second attempt.Of these 4 mines under second attempt of auction, one mine Kuraloi  Northhad received a bid and has now been successfully auctioned with Vedanta Limited being the Successful Bidder.
With the successful auction of Kuraloi  North coal mine, the total number of mines successfully auctioned in the first tranche of auction for commercial mining is 20 out of total 38 coal mines offered, with a success percentage of ~52.63% for the first tranche.
Kuraloi  North located in Odisha with a Peak Rated Capacity of 8 MTPA is the largest mine in terms of PRC of all the mines successfully auctioned in the first tranche. Kuraloi  North is expected to generate an annual revenue of ~Rs. 763 crores andalso provide employment to over 10,000 people.